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Jonathan Brown understands why so many people are fixated on the status of his beleaguered Boatmen.

Afterall, there is so much to be fixed, including the defensive end's broken rib.

Whether it's the offence that can't sustain drives or put up sufficient points, a defence that can't stop the run or force two and outs with regularity, special teams that aren't so special, or Brown's anatomy, everywhere one looks there is something amiss in Argoland.

"No doubt we have a lot of things to fix,'' Brown said yesterday, still maintaining his sense of calm amid the perceived instability surrounding the 1-2 team.

"Offence, defence, special teams, I mean, you can't point to one facet and say we've been playing well. The bottom line with us is that we're making too many mistakes in all aspects."

With the present looking so bleak, Brown can, at least, take comfort from the past.

It was only a year ago when the Argos limped to a 2-6 start, heading into Labour Day, a traditional time when CFL teams develop their identity, with more doom and gloom than victories.

"Don't get me wrong,'' Brown, who broke his rib in last week's loss in Edmonton, said. "We don't want to get back in that same situation.

"We did begin last season at 2-6, but we turned it around. We can lean on that."

As a member of the team's veteran core, Brown insists he pays little, if any, attention to the mounting criticism.

"Once we get our thing together, all the naysayers and all the pundits will go away,'' he said.

It's a sentiment echoed by fellow veteran Orlondo Steinauer.

"There's no sense of panic among us,'' he said. "We understand what the record is and we understand there's never a good way to lose.

"We have work to do. We have a belief inside (the dressing room) and it will spill out to the outside when all the dust settles."

Until the time arrives when the Argos are playing like the Grey Cup contenders they claim to be, the skeptics will remain vocal.

Three weeks into the season and the Argos are the league leaders in just about every category clubs abhor.

No offence has been more inefficient than the Argos; no defence has been more ineffective than the Argos; no team has an owner who has opened his mouth more than the Argos.

As the litany of woes continue, head coach Rich Stubler has become more hands on during practice.

He already has instructed his quarterbacks to call their own plays and Stubler this week has spent more time on special teams and with the defensive line.

DREAM WEAVER

Rookie import offensive lineman Ross Weaver left the team yesterday to get married. He's expected back Monday, one day after the Argos play host to the Eskimos.

"He's an Air Force guy and I'm not going to stand in his way,'' Stubler quipped.

Stubler said Weaver informed the Argos of his wedding date well before Weaver signed his contract.